Ho Ho Hops! A Home Brewer’s Gift Guide

Are you stymied by what to get for the home brewer on your gift list? Our home brewing expert, Jared Kovacs comes to the rescue with the FBC Home Brewer's Gift Guide that will make both your home brewer and you happy: new toys for them, better beer for you!

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T’was a few weeks before Christmas and all through the house, not a home brewer was stirring, not even a little bit?

Ok, listen, I'm no poet, but I do love the holidays. I always have. When I was a kid, I used to wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning, sneak downstairs, open my stocking (even though I wasn't supposed to), restuff it, and then wake up my family, all because SANTA had come. I know, I was every parent's worst nightmare. Y'all will be glad to hear that I now sleep in until at least 6 a.m. ... I'm currently 31.

Here are seven gifts that would make any homebrewer, including me (wink-wink, nudge-nudge, family and friends) pine with envy.

1. Mastering HomeBrew by Randy Mosher

I love this book. I've read multiple homebrew books and by far this was the most beneficial. The information is presented in an easy-to-understand format, and there are lots of diagrams and information charts that are easy to reference when in need. And the best part? It's in colour, so it's also visually stunning.

2. Dry Hopper

Is your beloved homebrewer a hop head? Dry hopping is definitely something they need to try if they haven't already. This dry hopper is made for five-gallon kegs, but could easily be converted for use during fermentation. Don't know what that means? It's ok, they will, and they'll put this to good use.

3. Growler Filler

I recently purchased this growler filler for my keg system so I can take homebrew wherever I go. It hooks right into my taps perfectly. If your homebrewer has a keg system with taps, this will undoubtedly make a great stocking stuffer.

4. Carboy Mop/Cleaner

Cleaning up is by far the worst part of home brewing. Any home brewer will welcome anything that helps make clean up faster and easier especially when it comes to carboys. Sure, you can spend 10 to 15 minutes scrubbing them clean with a clumsy carboy brush, but why would you when you can spend 1 to 2 minutes with this carboy mop/cleaner attached to a drill? The brewer in your life will scream your praises with this gift.

5. Refractometer

Refractometers are used to measure alcohol content in each brew. They’re simple to use and use only a few small drops of wort and beer compared to a hydrometer. I love mine and swear by it.

6. Brau Supply's Unibrau All in One Electric System V.3

I'd love to get Brau's All in One Unibrau Electric System, and I think your home brewer would like one too. It takes up very little space compared to what you'd need if you went a more traditional route. Check out Home Brew Essentials: Grains and Equipment to see the difference. Brau's Unibrau All in One System is easy to use, and best of all, it can be used in any home setting — apartments, condos, houses and tiny houses are all fair game with this all in one setup. Finally, they're a Canadian company based in Vancouver. Whenever I get a chance, I try to support my fellow Canadians.

7. High Precision Digital Scale

This may not sound like an exciting gift, but anyone who brews all grain beer knows how crucial it is to get your grain bill right. This high precision digital scale makes that possible. Get it for your home brewer so they can make the best homebrew possible.

You may not realize this, but giving any of these gifts is more like giving yourself a gift. Why? Because what home brewers will be able to produce with them will be much better. So do the right thing, and give one of these gifts to your home brewer this Christmas … because they'll give you good beer.

Happy Holidays and Cheers!

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Home Brewing is written by Jared Kovacs. Jared comes from a long line of food and drink connoisseurs. His father was a chef, his grandparents owned a diner, his grandfather is a home brewer, and his great-great-great-grandfather was a brewmaster in Germany. He loves sharing good food, beer (especially home brews), and cider with friends and family. You can follow him at The Hesitant Chef or on social media at Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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